Polynesian Words

Asian loan words in English

by Ann-Marie Imbornoni

Hawaiian

• hula
• luau
• ukelele, from words meaning "flea jumping."

Tahitian

• tattoo, introduced to the English-speaking world by Capt. James Cook in his account of his voyage around the world from 1768 to1771. Sailors later brought the actual custom to Europe.

Tongan

• taboo, like tattoo, occurs for the first time in Capt. James Cook's journals.